Acts 12:5 is: Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for hi
Peter was guarded by 16 soldier that work 6 hour shifts in four. One soldier is chained to each side of him and the other two outside there post and several at the gate.
But there was a group of believer fervently praying for PETER'S release.
Do you know what PRAYER does ?
I) Act 12: 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. he struck Peter on the side and woke him up. " Quick, get up"! he said, and the chain fell off Peter's wrists.
- Prayer breaks the bonds that hold us.
- Peter was bound under incredible circumstances. Yet God broke those bonds and allowed Peter the opportunity to be FREE of them
- God has done something even greater for us in that he has broken the bonds of sin and death.
- We as believers no longer have to be bound by our sin and its eternal consequence.
- God has giving us the opportunity to be FREE.
II) Act 12: 8-10 Then the angel said to him," Put on your clothes and sandals". and Peter did so." Wrap your cloak around you and follow me" the angel told him 9.Peter followed him out of the prison,but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening;he though he was seeing a vision. 10. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city.It opened for them by itself,and they went through it.when they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
- Prayer gives guidance when we don't know the way
- It might be fair to say or guess that PETER did not know his way around this particular prison. He needed guidance to get away from the place he was bound
- The same way we need guidance to get away from our prison in life
- We have people that guide us through life, our Leader, Pastor, minister, the word of God. We need guidance to get away from our pass.
- If we do not follow the guidance, the Lord provides we will likely continue to linger in the very bonds that have already been broken for us and remain under the influence of the enemy.
III) Act 12:11 Then Peter came to himself and said, " Now i know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were people were hoping would happen".
- PETER conquer the captivity of enemy.
- PETER could have had his bonds broken and even had guidance out of the prison but unless he grasped the reality of his deliverance he might still live as though it were only illusion or dream.
- Sometimes we go through life not realizing the reality that we have been delivered from the enemy.
- We must move forward in freedom towards the prize.
- We are FREE, We are FREE...
IV) Act 12:14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, " Peter is at the door"
- Prayer grants gladness in times of distress.
- She was so overjoyed that PETER was at the door and was free she forgot to open the door.
- Sometime we don't see the answer prayer, Went God answer prayer he will blow us all way.
V) Act 12:16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
- Prayer responds with results even when we don't expect them
- Those who had engaged in " Constant Prayer" were certainly praying for PETER.
- They also certainly knew that GOD was able to deliver him even from the direst circumstances
VI) Act 12:17-19 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. " Tell James and the other brother and sister about this",he said, and then he left for another place. 18. In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of peter. 19. After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guard and ordered that they be executed.
- Prayer brings deliverance from our enemies
- We should live life understanding that the battle is not ours to fight, it is the LORD's and the victory has already been won
- See the soldier were sentence to death also the kin Herod died has well
- Exodus 14:13 "Moses told the people, Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."
